Community Futures Peterborough's ScaleUP Program Announces 2024 Cohort of Graduated Businesses

Six entrepreneurs growing their business operations have completed and graduated from Community Futures Peterborough’s (CFP) 2024 ScaleUP program and were commemorated at their facility at the Venture North Building on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Clint Clarke, Tracy Cosburn, Alicia Doris, Jacob Rodenburg and Sean Flanagan. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The initiative is a collaboration between CFP and Scotiabank which help equip the entrepreneurs with strategic insights and tools necessary for accelerated growth according to Devon Girard, CFP executive director.

“This dedicated group of ambitious business owners is now equipped with a customized expansion plan to grow and scale their operations,” she said, “We couldn’t be prouder to support their business journey, and we’re thrilled to see their sustainable growth plans put into action.”

The 2024 ScaleUP program was designed to address the evolving needs of regional entrepreneurs with the strategic tools required to make key decisions about how their businesses can scale according to a press release.

Graduates of the fall cohort of the program include:

• Tracy Cosburn, Kyoto Coffee

• Alicia Doris, Living Local Marketplace

• Jacob Rodenburg, Camp Kawartha

• Debra Ragbar, Kawartha Spice Company

• Clint Clarke, Barking Pixel Design Co.

• Sean Flanagan, Flanagan and Sun

The 2024 ScaleUP program was led by Diane Richard, an industry consultant and a team of regional experts over five months. Each graduates leaves the program with a customized growth plan to help them create sustainable expansion of their business.

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A New Era of Kawartha Lakes Construction Begins As Duo Take Ownership Of Company

The torch is passed on at Kawartha Lakes Construction as Mark Reid, general manager and Ben Reynolds, director of construction have assumed ownership of the business, announced on Tuesday.

Mark Reid, general manager (left) and Ben Reynolds, direction of construction leading the charge as new owners of Kawartha Lakes Construction. The company was founded in 1988 by Scott Wootton. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Lakes Construction.

“We are immensely thankful to Scott for his vision and leadership. Today marks the beginning of a new era for us as we expand our operations to Builder’s Row, a hub of homebuilding services located on 8th Line Smith west of Lakefield,” said Reid. “This expansion will provide customers with comprehensive access to essential services, enhancing their ability to craft their ideal living spaces.”

“Having worked closely with Scott for over a decade, his passion has been a constant source of inspiration,” said Reynolds. “We are thrilled to continue benefiting from his support as he focuses on engaging new customers and sharing the vision of Kawartha Lakes Construction.”

Kawartha Lakes Construction is hosting a customer appreciation barbeque on Sept. 21 to commemorate this new era at their Lakefield headquarters and doubles as a fundraising initiative for Habitat for Humanity.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Coldwell Banker, Jeff Thrift Store, Trent University and Peterborough Humane Society

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

There’s a new addition to Peterborough’s real estate landscape: Coldwell Banker Electric Realty.

They are an independently owned and operated Coldwell Banker franchise, offering a unique perspective to the local market. Their mission is to seamlessly connect agents and consumers within a thriving digital ecosystem. They provide agents with a cutting-edge platform, world-class coaching, and training in an A.I.-friendly environment. For consumers, they aim to be a gateway to exceptional real estate experiences backed by global brand recognition. Drop by their office at 215 George St. N. in Peterborough or find them online at cbelectricrealty.ca.

There’s a new store in downtown Peterborough. Jeff Thrift Store recently opened at 425 George St. N.

Jeff’s has a bit of a different approach by selling clothing based on weight. The store offers an affordable and sustainable alternative for getting designer fashion at discount prices, offering both clothing and accessories. They offer new, used, and liquidation overstock items. Drop by and find some fashionable new outfits.

Looking to sharpen your business and non-profit skills?

Trent University has worked with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, KLCFDC and LAUNCH Kawartha to develop two new micro credential programs. Business Essentials and Strategies is an introductory course that explains essential concepts and provides strategies on how to apply them effectively in the workplace. Nonprofit Management Essentials is a timely initiative designed to equip nonprofit professionals with critical management skills. Contact Trent University for more information.

Looking to head somewhere warm this winter?

The Peterborough Humane Society has a ‘ruff’le prize for you. They just launched their second iteration of this popular contest and the grand prize is a $5,000 travel voucher from Marlin Travel Peterborough. Their first 50/50 ‘ruff’le ran this spring and reached a total jackpot of $43,615. Get your tickets by Sept. 25, and you’ll be entered into the $500 early bird draw. Tickets are available until Oct. 15 and you can get them at phs5050.ca. 

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Canadian Council of the Blind Opens the Doors For Its New Downtown Office Space

The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB Peterborough) cut the ribbon and opened its doors to a new office space in Downtown Peterborough on King Street on Thursday morning.

Mayor Jeff Leal (left) awarding a certificate to Leslie Yee, Past Chair (right) prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new office space. CCB Peterborough is a member-driven organization that brings together people in the Peterborough community with vision loss. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“We are so excited to have a new space in a great location accessible to our members,” said Christel Galachiuk, CCB Peterborough co-chair. “This is especially important for our From the Blind, For the Blind lending library that provides visual aids for those in need.”

The space will be used for the organization’s ‘From the Blind, For the Blind’ and its lending library, meetings and leisure space. The get-togethers were previously held at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre.

“We used to get together monthly at the Lions Centre (which we will still do) but a lot of that stuff is not really accessible where they can come here and feel more comfortable,” said Galachiuk. “They'll know the layout and we're all visually impaired so that makes life easier as well.”

Mayor Jeff Leal was in attendance and gave CCP Peterborough a certificate in recognition of the new space. A ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred to make the grand opening of the office.

“It's amazing because our group can get together. It's accessible for all our members,” explained Galachiuk. “People can come here, they can sit and talk and even our members can play here.”

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Community Futures Launches Business Advisory Centre; Starter Company Plus Program Applications Open for Business Funding

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) expanded its services by launching its newly revamped Business Advisory Centre (BAC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Venture North Building on Monday afternoon.

The BAC, a part of the Small Business Enterprise Centre program, funded by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, was previously operated by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED). Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Rosalea Terry, recently named the 2024 Businesswoman of the Year and business and marketing professor at Fleming College, has been hired as the BAC manager. She is joined by Lindsey Irwin as the business advisor and is a leading marketing consultant and a professor at Fleming and Trent University.

The Business Advisory Centre offers a comprehensive suite of services, combining access to grants, microloans, top-tier advisors and specialized programs to support business growth, scaling and even selling according to a press release.

These resources and expertise make it a one-stop hub for entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed according to Devon Girard, CFP executive director.

“With the launch of the Business Advisory Centre, we're taking a significant step forward in supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that drives both our city and county,” she said. “By bringing together top-tier talent like Rosalea Terry and Lindsey Irwin, we're ensuring our local businesses have access to the expertise, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive. This Centre is not just a resource for entrepreneurs; it's a catalyst for economic growth across our entire region.”

CFP was assuming operations of the Business Advisory Centre that was announced in June. This enables them to provide small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs access to funding and advisory services in one location.

Services of the BAC include mentorship, expert consultations, advisory, grant programs, confidence coaching, workshops, masterminds and networking events, catering to businesses at all stages of growth, from early-stage startups to scaling enterprises.

In addition to the BAC’s launch, CFP has opened its applications to its Starter Company Plus program. It offers businesses the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in funding and ongoing support and mentorship to start or grow their ventures. Applications for the program are open until Oct. 4 at 4 p.m.

“We are incredibly confident in the team we've assembled to lead the Business Advisory Centre,: said Wayne Harding, CFP board chair. “We're empowering our community with the tools and guidance necessary to succeed in today's dynamic market. Community Futures Peterborough is the go-to for businesses and entrepreneurs and will undoubtedly bolster our local economy and create lasting opportunities for growth throughout the city and county.”

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Statement House, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, Dream Light Gala and PTBO Chamber

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Statement House is introducing a collection of upcycled fashion.

The collection is in collaboration with Cahills, creating fashion accessories and clothing through the repurposing of denim, vintage fabric, and much more. You can buy them pre-made, choose textiles from their collection, or bring your own garments. Statement House offers reasonably priced, carefully curated vintage, retro and modern clothing and accessories. Drop by 378 Water St. in downtown Peterborough to find your next fashionable outfit or accessory.

Lakefield Animal Welfare Society's Doggie Dash is coming up on Sept. 15 at Isabel Morris Park in Lakefield.

It’s a BYOD (Bring your Own Dog) fundraising event where people can choose between 1.5 and 2.5 km to walk a dog in the company of other dog lovers. The event will feature live music, food vendors, local artisans, and small businesses selling handmade goods. Funds go to supporting furry friends in need. LAWS works every day to accept adoptable cats and dogs as shelter transfers, owner surrenders, and rescued animals with the goal of connecting each animal to a loving home. Visit lakefieldanimalwelfare.org to register.

Join the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough for a night where music meets magic at their Dream Light Gala at the Venue on Oct. 18.

Enjoy some delicious beverages during the cocktail hour at 5:30pm with dinner starting at 6:30 pm. There will be live music from James Higgins and the night will close with a silent auction. Funds raised assist the work of the Association with programing and support for people with Down Syndrome and their families. Visit downsyndromepeterborough.ca to order your tickets.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has a big announcement coming up.

Join them at Bennett’s Furniture and Mattresses on Wednesday Sept. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening event will feature a female-led panel discussion featuring local businesses. There will be delicious appetizers and a cash bar. Register for this free announcement event at pkchamber.ca.

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Voice of Business: The Call for Urgent Action on Homelessness

A new campaign called “Solve the Crisis,” led by a group of Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) was presented at a conference in Ottawa, hosted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

The conference included members from several caucuses and brought together some big names such as the minister of housing, mental health and addictions, and the minister of health. Those in attendance were Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC), and Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC). The three caucuses announced their collective support for the “Solve the Crisis” campaign.

On a local note, Mayor Jeff Leal accepted a municipal innovation award on behalf of the city of Peterborough from the AMO. The award recognizes the city of Peterborough's innovative modular housing community project which started in 2023. The project helped to end a tent encampment of people experiencing homelessness on Wolfe Street. According to a CBC report, the modular housing project has successfully housed 47 people out of 50 units.

A report by AMO in 2023, found there were at least 1400 homeless encampments in Ontario communities. The encampments were situated in communities of any size, urban, small town rural, and northern Ontario. This eye-opening statistic set in motion the call for urgency in this crisis.

The leading organization is the OBCM which includes mayors of 29 cities with a population of 100,000 or more that makes up about 70 per cent of Ontario’s population. The OBCM thus advocates for issues and policies for Ontario’s largest cities.

At the conference the OBCM highlighted their demands for urgent action on homelessness and the opioid crisis, known as “Solve the Crisis.” The conference addressed the reality of an issue that continues to grow where municipalities do not have the sufficient resources and support to combat homelessness.

The campaign calls on specific demands from the provincial government and federal government. This involves creating a ministry responsible for overseeing housing needs and mental health supports, as well as a taskforce to develop an Ontario Action Plan. In addition, they’re asking for more funding, tools and resources to address homelessness.

During the conference, Health Minister the Hon. Sylvia Jones’ announced that the province would be investing $378 million into 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs which will add up to 375 supportive housing units. On top of this, the province has implemented a ban on consumption sites within 200 metres of a school or childcare centre. Several mayors from OBCM voiced their gratitude for further investment from the province. Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton stating, “Grateful for the Ford government’s focus on treatment for addictions and not band-aid solutions. I share their concern about the proliferation of safe injection sites in area close to families and children. This needs to stop".

Looking ahead, the OBCM, and our own mayor, remain steadfast on tackling this crisis and collaborating with all levels of government. In an interview with the Peterborough examiner, Leal mentioned he has had productive conversations with the minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Micheal Tibollo’s to help address our local needs. Leal said, “we want to continue to impress upon the need to have additional funding, both from a treatment perspective and (for) supportive housing”.

The city of Peterborough has already received both federal and provincial funding for housing, drug supervision and treatment programs. These include the current supervised consumption site, affordable housing and a future residential treatment centre.

Locally, we met with Fourcast to get a better understanding of Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment Services Site (CTS). Fourcast is the lead agency operating the CTS site here in Peterborough. The CTS which has been active since June 2022, has seen a large success in preventing overdoses according to their 2022-2023 report. While a CTS is controversial in recent news and from communities, Fourcast involves community perspectives from community and business leaders in their operations with a community committee. Therefore, any community concerns will be reviewed in the committee. If you would like to see the past year's report on the CTS, please click the following link.

While the AMO acknowledges there have been some positive steps towards action, more is needed to combat this growing problem. With the success from modular housing and our own supervised consumption site, it will be interesting to see which municipalities will have the HART hubs. Thanks to the OBCM and pressure from Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across Canada, the homelessness crisis in Ontario is getting the attention it needs.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Canadian Council of the Blind To Open New Office Sept. 12

CCB Peterborough is bringing people together in the community with vision loss and with a new office space at 159 King St., Suite 206, on Sept. 12.

Photo courtesy of the Canadian Council of the Blind.

“We are so excited to have a new space in a great location accessible to our members. This is especially important for our From the Blind, For the Blind lending library that provides visual aids for those in need,” said Christel Galachiuk, CCB Peterborough co-chair.

Mayor Jeff Leal will deliver an address, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and member speeches. Chamber of Commerce members have been invited to attend the ceremony.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring The Willow Studio, Dietrich Homes, Gauvreau CPA and Summer Soul Yoga

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

The Willow Studio is celebrating a grand re-opening on Sept.21.

Angela Demeester took over the business earlier in the summer and is celebrating the new venture with an open house that includes free classes all day, food and drinks, giveaways, and special offers. The Willow Studio offers beginner-friendly yoga and Pilates. As the mother of a son diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Angela prioritizes accessibility with an accessible studio and she teaches adaptive yoga for children with disabilities. Drop by 1600 Lansdowne St. Wt. on Sept. 21 to see what The Willow Studio has to offer.

Local homebuilder Dietrich Homes is being recognized provincially for their great work.

They have been named as a finalist for two categories in the Ontario Home Builders’ Association 2024 Awards of Distinction. Dietrich Homes is a finalist for Builder of the Year in the Small Volume category and Production Built Home in the two storeys up to 2,500 square feet category. Winners will be announced on Sept. 24 in Niagara Falls. Being one among hundreds of submissions from top builders across the province, it’s great to see the team at Dietrich Homes recognized for their hard work and dedication to building quality homes in the region.

A big shout out to Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory which lead a record-breaking Gear up for Good drive.

They exceeded their goal of collecting 200 fully-stocked backpacks for local children in need, collecting a total of 208. A big thanks to seven local businesses that stepped up in support of the campaign: Domino's Pizza, Ricart Branded Apparel and Promo, Quaker, Eco Chalet Homes, Mirror Mirror Beauty Salon, Angela's Hair Co, and Hair Studio One. Great news as many kids head back to school this week.

Summer Soul Yoga and Wellness Studio is celebrating one year in business!

Located at 394 George St. N. in Downtown Peterborough, Summer Soul offers an experience that enhances your growth, boosts your happiness, and connects you to a supportive community. They even offer stand up paddleboard yoga on the lake. To celebrate their first year in business, they’re offering three free classes, live music with Deanna Earle, and a number of giveaways like four free months of yoga and Pilates. Find out more at summersoul.ca.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Smash Courts, Le Boat, Dan Joyce Clothing and The Local Show

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Smash Courts Pickleball Court and Sports Store is open at 799 Erskine Ave.

The pickleball and multi-sport court is available 24 hours a day through an online reservation system. They also have a dinking court and pickleball machine available for hourly rental. The store has all your top-of-the-line pickleball paddles, court shoes and accessories. They’ve recently been announced as an official Lululemon retailer. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in Canada right now. Try it out by booking some court time and get the gear you need at their new sports store.

Want to see the stunning fall colours from the water?

Le Boat is extending its cruising season on the Trent-Severn Waterway through to Oct. 31, providing more opportunities to experience the breathtaking fall colours on Ontario’s picturesque waterway. Fall cruise highlights includes taking in tranquil Rice Lake, known for its fishing and traveling 56 km from the Le Boat base to the quaint community of Hastings at Lock 18. Book your experience at leboat.ca.

Dan Joyce Clothing is on the move!

After many years in downtown Peterborough at 87 Hunter Street, they are heading to 1525 Chemong Rd., right beside Shop The Lake. Dan Joyce Clothing has evolved as a beloved name in women’s fashion, crafting simple and timeless wardrobes that empower women. In 2022, owner Nancy Wiskel opened a second location in Apsley that offers relaxed casual styles. In the meantime, drop by the downtown location for some great deals and quality fashion. The Local Show is back on Sept. 14 for its second year.

Hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce at Lansdowne Place, the show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Local Show is an opportunity for new residents to see what the community has to offer and for longtime residents to rediscover what new businesses and services are available. Booths are still available for businesses looking to meet new customers with about 14,000 people expected to pass through the mall that day. Visit pkchamber.ca for more information.

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